Diesel pile hammer starting device



Dec. 15, 1964 Filed May 10, 1962 .22 242 000, 26 31 14 o 5 i3 49 j 0 42 v 1 i9 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Dec; 15, 1964 D, J, KOFTAN 3,161,184

DIESEL FILE HAMMER STARTING DEVICE Filed May 10, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent Ofiice '3 ,15 l l 84 Patented Dec. 1 5, 1 964 Illinois Filed May It), 1962, Ser. No. 193,828 lb Claims. ((31. life-46) This invention relates in general to power hammers and more particularly to new and improved starting means for a compression ignition, two cycle, free piston pile hammer.

In starting a compression ignition, two cycle, diesel power hammer, a lifting device is engaged with a piston or rain and the ram is then lifted inside of the hammer cylinder. When the ram reaches a predetermined height within the cylinder, it is released and drops to strike the anvil disposed at the bottom of the cylinder. Air, which has been admitted to the chamber beneath the ram through suitable ports in the cylinder body, is compressed. A fuel charge is injected into the chamber and is ignited by the heat generated when the air is compressed by the falling ram. This combustion supplies the energy to raise the ram for the next stroke. The ram, in falling a second time compresses the air and fuel is again injected to repeat the cycle. This cycle continues until the hammer is stopped. In the past, it has been found that the diesel fuel normally employed for operating hammer of this type often' does not ignite in the initial downward stroke of the ram.

The present invention, therefore, provides a means for aiding fuel combustion in the starting cycle of a diesel pile hammer. This is accomplished by injecting a low ignition temperature starting fuel into the compression chamber which, in the presence of the diesel fuel and compressed air, will flash to ignite the fuel and supply the energy necessary to lift the ram for the second stroke. Once the combustion occurs, it will no longer be necessary to supply the starting fuel to the hammer. The invention provides a spring loaded injector valve mounted upon a diesel hammer compression chamber and operable in response to a subatmospheric pressure, created within the chamber upon the initial lifting of the ram within the chamber, to admit a low ignition temperature starting fuel to the chamber through the valve to aid in firing the diesel fuel present in the chamber and thus supply the energy required to lift the hammer ram in the starting cycle. After the starting cycle a positive pressure exists in the hammer chamber and thus the valve remains in its closed position. When the hammer is turned off, the ram drops upon the anvil thus forcing any air or gases from the hammer through leakage areas at the bottom portion of the hammer.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved means for starting a diesel pile hammer.

, A further object of the invention is to provide a diesel pile hammer starting device adapted to' inject a low ignition temperature starting fuel into the hammer compression chamber to miXwi-th the diesel fuel present therein to aid inthe ignition of the diesel fuel thus supplying the energy required to raise the hammer ram.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved starting fuel injection device for a diesel pile hammer operable in response to the presence of a subatmospheric pressure within the diesel pile hammer compression chamber.

Another object of thejpresent invention is the provicompression ignition, diesel hammer device to aid in the combustion of the diesel fuel present therein, upon the starting stroke of the hammer.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a starting fuel injector valve adapted to admit starting fuel into a pile hammer combustion chamber from a suitable reservoir only during the lifting of the hammer ram for the initial compression stroke.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a diesel pile hammer including the novel features of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the diesel pile hammer of FIG. 1 illustrating the mounting of the starting injector valve upon the finned lower cylinder thereof;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the starting fuel reservoir and transmission line connection of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, of the injector valve mounted as illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of the injector valve shown in FIG. 4; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the injector valve of FIG. 5.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, and first particularly referring to FIG. 1, the pile ham mer generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 comprises a body 11 having an upper cylinder 12 and a lower cylinder 14. Heat exchange fins 13, see FIG. 2, are formed upon the outer walls of 'the cylinder 14. A cylinder head 15 is mounted on the top of the upper cylinder 12 enclosing the upper end thereof. An anvil retainer 16 is mounted upon the lower end of the lower cylinder 14- and provides an inwardly opening annular recess 17 for receiving the flange 18 of an anvil 19. A combustion chamber 21 is formed above the anvil 19 which is supported for limited vertical movement by the flange 18 in the recess 19 of the anvil retainer 16.

A ram 22 is reciprocatively disposed within the chamber 24 defined by the inner Walls of the upper cylinder 12 and the lower cylinder 14. A plurality of circumferentially spaced intake ports 26 are formed in the lower cylinder 14-. The ports 26 afford atmospheric communication to the chamber 24.

illustrated and described in United States Patent No. Y

2,804,856 which issuedto W. V. Spurlin' on September 3, 1957 and therefore a detailed description of the elements and functions of the mechanism is not deemed vital to the disclosure of the present invention. It will be understood, however, that a wire rope 35 is connected to the sponse to movement of a hoist line to physically lift the ram 22 to a predetermined elevation, at which elevation it is released and allowed to descend in the chamber 24 to strike the anvil l9.

I theother side'ot the valve to a valueiat'whichthe pressu differential! will overcome; the.force of the spring}! "valve member48 will, tie moved frOm itsseatedp tion 7 end of each stroke thereof and to accelerate the ram in its downward stroke. a

A diesel fuel injection pump (not shown) is provided to inject atomized fuel into the chamber 20. 'Since fuel injectionsystems are well-known in the'art, a detailed .description of" this portion of the hammer has been omitted. Reference may be had to the aforementioned -United States Patent No..2,8()4,856 to W. V. Spurlin for atypical example of a fuel injection system.

During normal operation of the hammer, the ram 22 is lifted by the pressure of the gaseous products of combustion in the chamber 20 until it reaches a predetermined level. When that level is reached, exhaust parts (not shown) are uncovered by the movement of the ram. The

gaseous. combustion products thereupon escape and-fuI-' ther movement of the ram 22 due to its inertia will'uncover the intake ports'26 through whichfresh air is adand low ignition temperature starting fuel will flow from the tank 40 to the valve 42 and through the passageway 51 into the compression chamber 24. The valve 42 therefore acts as a check valve operable in response to a reduction in the pressure within the compression chamber 24 to introduce starting fuel into chamber 24. The chamber 56 within the housing 45 is enlarged to accommodate the valve member 48'and spring 49. l I 1 As is best illiistratedin FIG. 5, the valve housing 45 is threaded into a tapped port in the lower cylinder 14. 1 A

fl Washer 58 is positioned between the enlarged middle per mitted to the chambers 24 and 20. The ram 22 has then reached the upper limit of its movement and will'be moved downwardly by gravity. It will be understood that this downward movement will be accelerated by the. compressed air'in the chamber 36 and the externalchamber communicating therewith. During the downstroke'of the ram 22, the intake ports 26 and exhaust ports ,(not shown) are closed and the air trapped in the compression chamber 24 is compressedto create a pre-loading force on the anvil 19. As the ram 22Vnears the end of the downstroke, it actuates the diesel fuel injection system to inject atomized fuel under high pressure into-the compression chamber 24. The ram 22 then strikes the anvil 19 delivering its impact energy to the pile and the heat of tion of the valve housing and the 'outer'wall of thecylin= der 14. The other end of the valve housing 45 is threaded at 59 and hasan internal opening to receivethe fluid transmission line 44. A seal 60 is mounted upon the line 44 and is adapted toengage the end of the housing 42 to pro-' vide a seal between the line and thehousing, A clamping nut 61 is threaded onto the threads59 of the valve hous ing 45 to connect the line 44 to the'housing'and tov maintain the seal 60 in sealing relationship therebetween.

FIGURE B shows the other end of the fluid transmission line 44- in an explodedview wherein the reservoir- 40 1 g has threaded therein a nipple 62 which has an end opening for receiving the end of the transmission line 44. A clamping nut 63 is threaded .onto the outer end of the nip ple 62 to clamp the seal 64 in-sealing relation between the nipple and-fluid transmission line 44 and to maintain the transmission line in locked relationship within the reser voir 40. The fluid transmission line 44 is held in position onthe body 11 by a plurality of clamp devices. 4 I

The starting .fuel injection circuit of thepresnt inverttion aids in the tarting of the diesel ile hammer 10 by injecting a low ignition temperature starting fuel such as ether into the compression chamber 24 only during the starting cycle thereof. When the rain is physically lifted from its inoperative position'upon the anvil 19 by the-external force of a hoist or similar devicesupplied through the cable 35, a subatmosphericpressure is created within the chamber 24. The atmospheric pressure on the fuel within the tankAQ will thereuponovercome the force of the spring 49 to move the valve-member 48 from its seated position against its seat thus opening the pas- 1 sageway 51 for, the admission of starting fuel into the com- When the hammerhas not beenoperated for'some time and particularly when the air temperature is relatively low, 7

the initial lifting and release of the ram .22 may not raise the-temperature of the, air compressed-within the chamhere 24 and 20 to the ignition'temperature of the diesel fuel. To overcome this difiiculty, the startingfuel injecv tion system; embodying the invention is'provided; Referring to. FIG. 2 it will be seen that a'fuel tank or reservoir 40 is mounted upon the body-11 of the hammer 10. An

"injection valve 42 is mounted below thetank 40 and. is

connectedtherewith by means of a fuel transmission line 44. V '1 v 7 The injection valve 42 is best illustrated in-FIG. 6 and is mounted on the wall of the lower cylinder-14 asshown inFlGS; 4 and 5 for communicationwith compression" chamber 24 below the ports 26. The injection valve 42 includes a hous'ing45 having external threading 47' adapted to hethre'aded into the wall of-the. lower' cylinder "14', 111 A valve member 48 is reciprocatively mounted within the housing 45 and is acted upon by aspring 49 whichiurges the valve me'mber into a seated position against thebeveled valve seat-1.50 within the housi ng .45. The valveme mhe 1 48, while in its normal seated position, closes the passag'e- V 7 [way 51 through the housing 45; 7

When the pressure acting'onthe spring loaded I of thevalve member 48 is reduced-relative tothe, pressure on ref pression chamber '24; As the ram 22 continues in an upward direction, the ports 26 are opened and atmospheric pressure enters the chamber 24. This eliminatesthepres sure diiferential acting on opposite sides of the valve member48 so that thespring 49 will return the member to its seated position. Further flow of the low ignition tempera ture starting fuel from the tank 40 is,s topped.' When the ram 22 reaches a predetermined point in its upward move ment, it is released and falls downwardlytoward the anvil 19. While the ram 22 descends, it compresses the mixture of air which entered through theports 26 and the starting fuel. As the ram 22 approaches the bottomof its downward stroke,- diesel fuel is injected intothemixture'of compressed air and starting fuel present in the-chamber 24.

- Due to the heat of compression ignition occurs, initiated by the low ignition temperature starting fueL; The ignit on'creates a pressure ,which applies a downward force to the anvil19' and forces theiram upwardly, I

A: It is apparentthat the pressure within thecompres sio n chamberafterj ignition at the. end'oflithefirstand all sub.- I sequent strokes of the-ram22 will'maintainithe valve mm,

'jber' 48 in its'se'ated position-against the seat50 offthe valve 1 housing 45. The valve42 will only reopen to admit start- ;ingfuel; to, the compression chamber .ifl thehamme'r iis. stopped and the. ram 22 .is again lifted 'by' means. of tli e 'cab'le"5.i Shouldthe fuel not'fire on the first stroke, startfing fuel will repeatedly enter. the-compression chamber until, firi'ng=-occurs.*.; lItiWill'l'lJ understood thatiany lowv ignition temperature starting fuel, vwhetherliqu id; or;vapor maxus :as st 'Etht'ha b en-m n o ed.

\ j m I. jsuehfafuelif-c f Ihave provided, therefore, a new and improved means,

area-a d comasa rnedeamp 5 of aiding the stating of a two cycle diesel pile hammer whereby a low ignition temperature starting fuel is injected into the compression chamber of the hammer to mix with diesel fuel and to aid in the ignition thereof.

I have illustrated and described what I now consider to be the preferred embodiment of my invention. It will be understood, however, that various alterations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In a diesel pile hammer having a body with a cylinder formed therein and a piston positioned within said cylinder for free movement and providing a compression chamber in the cylinder, the improvement which comprises, a source of low ignition temperature starting fuel, a valve associated with said body and having an outlet in open communication with said compression chamber and an inlet in communication with said fuel source, means maintaining said valve in a normally closed position, and means for opening said valve to admit starting fuel to the compression chamber in response to a reduction of the pressure within said compression chamber to a value below atmospheric pressure.

2. In a diesel pile hammer having a body with a cylinder formed therein and a piston positioned within said cylinder for free movement and providing a compression chamber in the cylinder, the improvement which comprises, a source of low ignition temperature starting fuel, a valve mounted on said body and having an outlet in open communication with said compression chamber and an inlet in communication with said fuel source, and means maintaining said valve in a normally closed position, and responsive to a reduction of the pressure within said compression chamber to a value below atmospheric pressure for opening said valve to admit low ignition temperature starting fuel to the compression chamber.

3. In a diesel pile hammer having a body with a cylin der formed therein and a piston positioned within said cylinder for free movement and providing a compresison chamber in the cylinder, the improvement which comprises, a source of low ignition temperature starting fuel, a valve mounted upon the body portion and having an outlet in open communication with said compression chamber and an inlet in communication with said fuel source, means including resilient means adapted to maintain said valve in a normally closed position and responsive to a reduction in the pressure within said compres sion chamber to a value below atmospheric pressure for opening said valve to admit low ignition temperature starting fuel to the compression chamber.

4. In a diesel pile hammer having a body with a cylinder formed therein and a piston positioned within said cylinder for free movement and providing a compression chamber within the cylinder, the improvement which comprises, a source of low ignition temperature starting fuel, a check valve assembly mounted on said body and having an outlet in open communication with said compression chamber and an inlet in communication with said fuel source, means including spring means disposed Within said check valve and maintaining said valve in a normally closed position and responsive to a reduction to the pressure within said compression chamber to'a value below atmospheric pressure for opening said valve to admit starting fluid into the compression chamber.

5. In a diesel pile hammer having a body with a cyliner formed therein and a piston positioned within said cylinder for free movement and providing a compression chamber in the cylinder, the improvement which comprises, a source of low ignition temperature starting fuel, a check-valve mounted on said body and having an outlet in communication'with said compression chamber disposed within said valve chamber, a valve seat formed in said chamber, a spring disposed within said valve chamber to normally bias said valve body in. position against said valve seat to prevent flow of low ignition temperature starting fuel to said compression chamber, said spring means being responsive to a reduction in the pressure within said compression chamber to a value below atmospheric pressure to assume an energized position and allow said valve body to slide from its seated position to admit low ignition temperature fuel through the valve body into the compression chamber.

6. In a diesel pile hammer having a body with a cylinder formed therein and a piston positioned within said cylinder for free movement and providing a compression chamber in the cylinder, the improvement which comprises, a source of low ignition temperature starting fuel, a valve assembly mounted on the body portion and having an outlet in open communication with said compression chamber and an inlet in communication with said fuel source, said valve comprising a valve casing having a passageway formed therethrough, a valve seat formed within said casing, a valve body reciprocatively mounted within said passageway against said seat, a resilient member adapted to urge said valve body into a seated position within said casing, said valve body in its normal seated position adapted to close said passageway, said valve body responsive to a reduction in the pressure within said compression chamber to a value below atmospheric pressure for acting against said resilient member to move said resilient member to its energized position and open said passageway to admit low ignition temperature starting fuel to the compression chamber.

7. A diesel pile hammer having a body with a cylinder formed therein and a piston positioned within said cylinder for free movement and providing a compression chamber in the cylinder, the improvement which comprises, a source of low ignition temperature starting fuel, said source including a tank mounted upon the hammer body, a check valve mounted upon said body and having an outlet in communication with said compression chamber and an inlet in communication with said fuel tank, a fuel transmission line connected between said tank and said valve inlet port, said valve including a casing portion formed with a fuel passageway therethrough and having a valve body reciprocatively disposed therein, a valve seat formed within said casing, and means Within said casing adapted to bias said valve body in position upon said seat to normally close the passageway, said last named means maintaining said valve in a normally closed position and responsive to a reduction in the pressure within said compression chamber to a value below atmospheric pressure for opening said valve toadmit low ignition temperature starting fuel to the compression chamber.

, 8. A method of starting a diesel pile hammer comprising the steps of, providin a source of low ignition temperature starting fuel, admitting a controlled amount of said low ignition temperature starting fuel to pass from said source into the compression chamber of the hammer in response to the first reduction in pressure within the chamber to a value below atmospheric pressure upon expansion of said chamber in the starting cycle of the hammer, and completely stopping the flow of starting fuel to the compression chamber after said first reduction in pressure and while the hammer continues to operate. g

9. A method of starting a diesel pile hammer comprising the steps of, providing a source of low ignition temperature starting fuel, providing fuel transmission means between said source and the compression chamber of the hammer, permitting controlled flow of said low ignition temperature starting fuel to pass from said source to said compression chamber in response to the first reduction of pressure Within the chamber to a value below atmospheric pressure caused by the expansion of saidand completely stopping the flow of starting fuel to the;

compression chamber after said first reduction in pressure and while the hammer continues to operate.

10. A method of starting a diesel pile hammer comprising the steps of, temperature starting fuel, providing fuel transmission means between said source and the compression chamber of the hammer, providing pressure responsive flow control means in association with said fuel transmission means, permitting a controlled flow of low ignition temperature starting fuel to pass from said source into the compression chamber upon the first reduction of providing a source of low ignition,

pressure within,

the chamber to a value below atmospheric pressure on v the starting cycle of the hammer, and completely stopping the flow of starting fuel to the compression cham- 15 bet after .said

hammer continues to" operate.

first reduction in rences, Citsfl i bsl of h t is NITED 9 STATES PATENTS Sackett May 17, Andrews Jan. 30, Cordes Sept. 21, Haage Dec. 22, I-Iaage Apr. 3, Kuplga .'"July 24, Spurlin Sept. 3, Haage Sept, 20,

pressu e and whi the 

1. IN A DIESEL PILE HAMMER HAVING A BODY WITH A CYLINDER FORMED THEREIN AND A PISTON POSITIONED WITHIN SAID CYLINDER FOR FREE MOVEMENT AND PROVIDING A COMPRESSION CHAMBER IN THE CYLINDER, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES, A SOURCE OF LOW IGNITION TEMPERATURE STARTING FUEL, A VALVE ASSOCIATED WITH SAID BODY AND HAVING AN OUTLET IN OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID COMPRESSING CHAMBER AND AN INLET IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID FUEL SOURCE, MEANS MAINTAINING SAID VALVE IN A NORMALLY CLOSED POSITION, AND MEANS FOR OPENING SAID VALVE TO ADMIT STARTING FUEL TO THE COMPRESSION CHAMBER IN RESPONSE TO A REDUC- 